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Camping near Paonia, CO

254 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Summer camping around Paonia sits at a lower elevation than most western Colorado mountain towns, which means longer access windows and less risk of snow closures cutting a trip short. The North Fork Valley here borders Grand Mesa National Forest, putting dispersed camping within a short drive of town while still leaving room for developed sites in the valley floor with hookups or water on-site. Paonia is a small agricultural town with fruit orchards and wineries, giving the surrounding camping a different character than the ski-resort and national park corridors farther east.

    Road access varies: paved routes handle most vehicles, but national forest roads above town require high clearance in sections, particularly after rain when dirt clay softens. The camping season here runs longer at lower elevations, with valley-floor sites accessible well into November most years. Cell service gets thin once you're on the forest roads above town.

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    Best Campgrounds near Paonia (254)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

      4.6(68)23mi from Paonia89 sitesRVs, Tents

      "The South Rim Campground is similar to other national park campground in that it provides convenient access to park activities and trails, but it stands apart due to the fact that the camping fees are"

      "Most of the outer sites are tucked into the forest so there is a decent level of privacy. Lots of deer frequent the area, we saw several on each trip."

      from $20 - $34 / night

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      2. Black Canyon Dispersed Camping

      4.2(67)24mi from PaoniaRVs, Tents

      "Great location right next to the park! There are plenty of sites and the views are beautiful. Entrance was slightly rutted so make sure you can off-road just a bit!"

      "A few minutes outside the south gate of the park. Multiple sites, most of which are on dirt. Paths to and from can be a bit rough for most passenger vehicles. But it’s quite and close to the park."

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      3. Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park

      4.2(15)13mi from Paonia45 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Great view of the lake but the lake level was down so we weren't as close as you could be but still a great lake & mountain view. I have Verizon I had 2 to 3 bars & could stream Pandora."

      "Many vineyards close by. Joe Cocker (rock singer) had a ranch nearby."

      from $36 / night

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      4. BLM Cottonwood Grove Campground

      4.6(13)15mi from PaoniaRVs, Tents

      "This campground is a gem as other reviewers have cited, BUT the road in is dangerous when wet as there is a lot of exposure off the edge. An AWD would be ok but still dicey on the downhills."

      "Stunning scenery and right next to the river. The road coming in is not for the faint of heart, but it was very doable in my minivan going slow."

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      5. Sage View Ranch

      4.5(4)1mi from PaoniaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Breathing mountain views, walking distance to the town and wine tasting, hanging with goats and chickens, peaceful, safe and definitely relaxing."

      "Location is hard to beat."

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      6. The Campground at Big B’s Delicious Orchards

      2.8(6)2mi from PaoniaRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Campsites are a small piece of grassy area next to a pond or on an outside loop. Portable toilets only. Traffic noise at night."

      "Our only complaint was that it was quite hot (topped out near 100 degrees)."

      from $25 - $170 / night

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      7. North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

      4.4(20)21mi from Paonia14 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Driving through Colorado in the fall there is nothing which can compare. "

      "Camped one night on our road trip throughout southwestern Colorado. Campsites over look the canyon."

      from $20 / night

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      8. Bogan Flats Campground Grp S

      4.6(27)24mi from Paonia37 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Every year, my family (+- 10 people) heads somewhere in Colorado to camp over Labor Day. This year we headed up to Marble, CO and stayed at the Bogan Flats campground."

      "Lovely quite campground in the woods next to a river. We stayed on the side away from the river and I wish we had stayed on the river side, but it was still fantastic."

      from $32 - $166 / night

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      9. Kebler Corner

      5.0(5)13mi from PaoniaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "It is quiet and peaceful next to the roaring of the river. Perfectly situated between Paonia (Big B’s cider) and Kebler pass leading to Crested Butte."

      "The tent spots were in a different area on the other side of the property a little away from the busier parts."

      from $35 - $725 / night

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      10. Lost Lake Campground

      5.0(14)21mi from PaoniaRVs, Tents

      "Lost Lake Campground near Crested Butte, Colorado, is a hidden gem that combines serene alpine beauty with a peaceful camping experience."

      "There are some reserve able sites near the lake, and some first come/first serve sites as well. Also dispersed camping on the way up to the campground."

      Check Availability
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    Recent Camping Photos near Paonia, CO

    395 Photos of 254 Paonia Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near Paonia, CO

    1316 Reviews of 254 Paonia Campgrounds

    • sThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 25, 2026

      Hideout Cabins and Campground

      Convenient, tree cover

      We were looking for a place to camp near Glenwood Springs, but far enough off 70 to avoid the freeway noise. This is a sweet little campground located along the edge of the canyon, south of downtown Glenwood Springs. We arrived in a downpour with thunder, lightening and hail! We were grateful for the easy access to water, electricity and clean bathrooms and showers. The storm flooded I-70 near Silt and closed the road - with a detour on route 6.

      Although a relatively large campground, there are only a few sites available with hookups or for tent camping. Most sites provide permanent housing for locals. Since many residents get up early for work, it is a quiet place to stay.

      There is a dog park, clubhouse with laundry, coffee and other amenities.

    • SThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 24, 2026

      Jumbo Campground

      Nice quiet CG paved

      This campground is paved, and it is big rig friendly. You are close to several lakes which have nice trails and sidewalks too. It is easy access on and off the main highway. CON: The bathrooms stink horribly and there are mosquitoes in the evening. We were in sight 18, and it is a first come first serve site, but there are reservable sites at this campground with electricity.

    • Terry K.
      Jul. 21, 2026

      Paonia State Park Campground

      Beautiful area, lots of mosquitoes

      We enjoyed our 2 nights at Hawsapple campground. Unfortunately, water level was too low to access the reservoir. Our camp site was great despite all the mosquitoes. It is located by a road, but noise at night was not bad. It's a clean, well kept campground in a beautiful canyon.

    • Korey M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 20, 2026

      Iron Springs Campground

      Iron springs campground

      Small 8 site campground. No water or services. Has a put toilet. New Picnic tables, fire rings and gravel at each site.

    • Adrian C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 20, 2026

      Mountain Time RV Park & Cabins (Formerly Tall Texan)

      Mixed- clean but packed in and expensive

      There must be close to 100 sites and they are packed so tightly that we apologized to our close neighbors for our coming and going until 11:00 PM. The reason we were coming and going is that we purposely stayed there to do laundry after a week of boondocking. But, the laundry is closed every day from 8 AM to noon , so you can't do laundry in the morning. Plus, you have to have someone escort you to your site when yo arrive. I think this is due to packing people in. But, clean showers, bathrooms, and laundry facilities. Friendly staff too. It feels like they are willing to sacrifice a good experience to maximize profit.

    • Rik H.
      Jul. 17, 2026

      Gunnison KOA

      Huge Grass Sites

      The sites are huge. Very nice grass sites that are watered daily. Bathrooms can use a bit of updating and renovating. Airport just around the corner gives you that airport noise… Staff is extremely friendly. Talked with a lot of return campers and they love this place for reunions and just getting together. The downtown area is not far and has plenty of shopping and places to eat. Would return. Oh, this place has about a dozen friendly burrows walking around.

    • Lou P.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 16, 2026

      Island Acres Section Camping — James M. Robb Colorado River State Park

      Great overnight stop

      While traveling I-70, this is a nice place to spend the night with minimal hassle. Like most CO state parks, it’s clean, well maintained with a great staff. Note you will be close to train tracks, and if you are in a tent, you might notice the train in the middle of the night.

    • mThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 13, 2026

      Nine Mile Hill

      Lovely views

      Right off of the main road, there are several spots to camp at. Camping areas are relatively close but they aren’t right on top of each other. There were only two other people camping while we were there

    Guide to Paonia

    Camping options near Paonia, Colorado extend across a mix of public lands and managed facilities with notable destinations like Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Crawford State Park, and several BLM areas. The region includes developed campgrounds for both tent and RV camping, as well as more unique accommodations such as the cabins at Sage View Ranch and glamping options at Big B's Delicious Orchards. Both established campgrounds with amenities and dispersed sites on public lands can be found within a 30-mile radius of town, providing various levels of services and privacy.

    Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping experiences in this area, with many campgrounds only fully operational from late spring through fall. Crawford State Park's Iron Creek Campground remains accessible year-round with electric hookups and water access, though the reservoir water levels can fluctuate significantly during drought conditions. Several campgrounds near Black Canyon of the Gunnison offer different operating seasons, with South Rim open year-round while North Rim typically closes by mid-November. Road access to dispersed sites may become difficult during wet weather or winter conditions. As one camper noted, "The lake level was down so we weren't as close as you could be but still a great lake & mountain view."

    Waterfront sites at Crawford State Park receive particularly positive reviews, with campers appreciating the lake views and wildlife viewing opportunities. Sites 22 through 39 are highlighted as prime waterfront locations when reservoir levels are normal. At Sage View Ranch, visitors praise the unique accommodations and mountain scenery, with one reviewer describing it as "a very eclectic ranch" with "everything from buses turned apartments, RV parking and tent plots, tipi with a king bed." In contrast, reviews for Big B's Delicious Orchards campground are mixed, with some visitors enjoying the orchard setting and amenities like the restaurant and cider tasting, while others note issues with site spacing and muddy conditions. Several visitors mentioned the lack of shade at many sites throughout the region, suggesting preparation for sun exposure, especially during summer months.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where are the best campgrounds near Paonia, Colorado?

    Several excellent campgrounds surround Paonia. Erickson Springs offers a rustic experience right on Anthracite Creek, just off Kebler Pass Road. It's a basic USFS campground with good hiking access to Dark Canyon in the Raggeds Wilderness and fishing opportunities. Another great option is Kebler Corner, situated between Paonia and Kebler Pass with the peaceful sounds of the river nearby. For those willing to venture a bit further, Redstone in White River National Forest provides quiet, tree-surrounded sites with warm showers, while Oh Be Joyful Campground near Crested Butte offers spectacular mountain views with an honor system for fees.

    Is there RV camping available in Paonia?

    Mountain Time RV Park & Cabins (formerly Tall Texan) offers excellent RV accommodations near Paonia and is described by campers as one of the most beautiful RV parks in Colorado. For those wanting to be closer to recreational activities, The Campground at Big B's Delicious Orchards near Hotchkiss provides drive-in access with reservable sites and basic amenities. While Paonia itself has limited RV-specific camping, the surrounding area offers several options with varying levels of hookups and amenities. Most RV sites in the region fill quickly during summer months, so advance reservations are recommended.

    What amenities are available at Paonia State Park for campers?

    Paonia State Park Campground offers basic amenities in a rustic setting. The campground is located about 15 miles from town and features vault toilets, drinking water, and fire rings at each site. The sites are situated under shrubs that provide some shade but can harbor mosquitoes, especially during wet seasons. While the park includes a reservoir, water levels can fluctuate significantly, sometimes completely drying up by late summer. Some campers experience wildlife encounters, including cattle from nearby ranches occasionally wandering through. For more amenities, Crawford State Park nearby offers more reliable water recreation and better-maintained facilities.

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